Solar Thermal Installers and Technicians

What the job really is

Install or repair solar energy systems designed to collect, store, and circulate solar-heated water for residential, commercial or industrial use.

At a glance

• Sector: Construction & Extraction
• O*NET-SOC code: 47-2152
• O*NET job zone: 3 — medium preparation
• Work sample tasks on file: 12
• Tools and technologies listed: 12

What you actually do

Work sample tasks recorded for this occupation:

• Test operation or functionality of mechanical, plumbing, electrical, and control systems.
• Apply weather seal, such as pipe flashings and sealants, to roof penetrations and structural devices.
• Install solar collector mounting devices on tile, asphalt, shingle, or built-up gravel roofs, using appropriate materials and penetration methods.
• Install copper or plastic plumbing using pipes, fittings, pipe cutters, acetylene torches, solder, wire brushes, sand cloths, flux, plastic pipe cleaners, or plastic glue.
• Identify plumbing, electrical, environmental, or safety hazards associated with solar thermal installations.
• Demonstrate start-up, shut-down, maintenance, diagnostic, and safety procedures to thermal system owners.
• Install circulating pumps using pipe, fittings, soldering equipment, electrical supplies, and hand tools.
• Install flat-plat, evacuated glass, or concentrating solar collectors on mounting devices, using brackets or struts.
• Install solar thermal system controllers and sensors.
• Fill water tanks and check tanks, pipes, and fittings for leaks.
• Design active direct or indirect, passive direct or indirect, or pool solar systems.
• Determine locations for installing solar subsystem components, including piping, water heaters, valves, and ancillary equipment.

Tools and technology

Adobe Photoshop, Autodesk AutoCAD, Dassault Systemes SolidWorks, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office software, Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications VBA, Microsoft Word, Oracle Java, Salesforce software, 1CadCam Unigraphics

What employers expect you to already be comfortable with.

Where this job leads

Related occupations — the usual moves up and sideways:

• Solar Photovoltaic Installers
• Solar Energy Systems Engineers
• Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers
• Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall
• Solar Energy Installation Managers
• Insulation Workers, Mechanical
• Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters
• Geothermal Technicians

Getting in

O*NET assigns this occupation job zone 3 (medium preparation). The related occupations above are the realistic routes in and out.

Find openings

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Check this against the source

O*NET OnLine: Solar Thermal Installers and Technicians — the authoritative public-domain profile this page is derived from, including the full task list, reported skills and the wage estimates for your region.

Derived and rewritten from the public-domain O*NET database (U.S. Department of Labor / Employment and Training Administration). Figures are observations, not promises — always confirm salary, licensing and visa requirements with the employer and the relevant authority.